STAND. COM. REP. NO. 188-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2566

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2566 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the driver of the lead vehicle on Hāna highway, between mile marker 00 and mile marker 34, to use turnouts and allow vehicles to pass.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Maui County Council, Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation.

Your Committee finds that unsafe driving conditions may be created on two-lane roadways where the lead vehicle is moving slowly, there is a backup of vehicles behind the lead vehicle, and traffic moving in the opposite direction makes it unsafe to pass. This measure requires the driver of a lead vehicle with five or more vehicles in a line behind the driver on a segment of Hāna highway to use turnouts and allow vehicles to pass, thereby promoting traffic safety. Your Committee further finds that the application of this measure to roads statewide will improve operational efficiency and minimize road rage.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that requires the lead driver on Hāna highway between mile markers 00 and 34 to use turnouts and allow vehicles to pass the driver under certain circumstances;

(2) Inserting language that requires vehicles on any two-lane roadway providing for two-way movement of traffic, proceeding at less than the speed limit, where passing or overtaking another vehicle is not possible or permitted, and a line of five or more vehicles has formed immediately behind, to move off the roadway at the nearest location where sufficient space exists for trailing vehicles to overtake;

(3) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2566, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2566, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair